Take a (Georgia) Hike

10 Hiking Escapes in Central Georgia

See full story, originally published in Macon Magazine, here.

Discovering a place to reconnect with the earth beneath our feet does not require a trip to the North Georgia mountains. Dozens of walking trails sit within a 60-mile radius of Macon, just waiting to be explored.

Daily, families and friends loop the trails at Amerson River Park, on foot and bike. The Ocmulgee Mounds are receiving national attention and offer trails that remind us just how ancient this land is – and whose land we walk on. The Arboretum Trails at Wesleyan College boast nearly three miles of hiking trails across 100 acres and a wide variety of plant and animal species, like the delightful Worm-Eating Warbler or the funky Southern Leopard Frog.

As these well-loved trails attest, hiking is a fun, healthy, and therapeutic way for many of us to spend our time. Exploring new trails often reignites a waning passion or inspires a new way to spend time with family and friends. Whether you’re hoping to begin hiking close to home, or you’re looking for your new favorite trail, this guide is a great place to start.

The Trails

The best trail for you depends on your motivation for taking a hike. Luckily, there is a trail that can match just about any need. If you are looking for a family-friendly hike, there’s a trail for that. If you’re training to hike the Appalachian Trail (as my husband recently did) and need something challenging, there’s a trail for that. If you are a jogger and want something to mix up your routine, there’s a trail for that. If you are looking for something scenic and fun to explore with your friends, guess what? There’s a trail for that.

Photo by Jessica Whitley for Macon Magazine

Brown’s Mount

Best for the family

1 Joe Brown Dr · Macon, GA

1.2 Miles, Easy

2. Oconee River Greenway

Best to Take Your Dog

Milledgeville, Georgia

2.5 Miles, Easy

3. Allison Lake Wildlife Trail at Piedmont Wildlife Refuge

Best Wildlife

Hillsboro, Georgia

2.5 Miles, Moderate

4. Tranquil Trails Loop at High Falls State Park

Best for a Day Trip

Jackson, Georgia

4.1 Miles, Easy

5. Widowmaker Trail at Sprewell Bluff Park

Best Views

Thomaston, Georgia

4.1 Miles, Difficult

6. Selma Erwin Nature Trail

Best Workout

Scottsboro, Georgia

4.9 Miles, Moderate

7. Multi-Use Trail at Indian Springs

Best for Trail Running

Floville, Georgia

6.2 Miles, Moderate

8. Pig Trail at Georgia Industrial Children’s Home

Best for Thru-Hike Training

4690 N Mumford Rd · Macon, GA

7.4 miles, Moderate

9. Moonshine Trail/Bootlegger Trail/Lake Clark Loop at Dauset Trails

Best for Birdwatching

360 Mt. Vernon Ch. Rd, Jackson, GA

2.5 Miles, Moderate

10. Thomson Mountain Bike Trails

Best for Mountain Biking

Centerville, Georgia

4.6 Miles, Moderate

Hiking Tips

Sunscreen and bug spray are your friends
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Get to know the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace
We all trip now and again, wear close-toed shoes
Check AllTrails before taking a hike to see how the weather may have impacted the trail
Take a small bag with you for any trash
Listen to nature! (If you must have music, wear headphones)
Check for ticks upon completion
Avoid wearing cotton
Find your why
Have fun

Why Hike?

Of course, there are the obvious reasons. Walking has indisputable health benefits and being in nature is proven to help with mental health. But perhaps most intriguing is how versatile it is. Hiking can be solitary or social. It can be challenging or relaxing. A trail can be familiar and at once full of newness.

The longer the hike, the more important it is to home in on your “why.” This time last year, my husband, Trent Mosely, was walking from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail – a feat that takes six months. For him, hiking has been a way to slow down today’s fast pace. He said, “In a time where our attention spans are becoming smaller and smaller due to short-form content and social media, hiking provides a remedy to that. It reminds us of the timelessness of mother nature and makes us focus on the grandeur and minute details found in the wild. Additionally, the physical connection with our body and the ground gratifies in a way that few things do in our treadmill-like day-to-day existence.”

Each hiker must find their own motivation. If you are just getting started, try an easy hike and look for the moments when you feel elated. Notice what it is about that moment that brought you joy – remember it when the trail gets challenging.